Upcoming events at LGNC:
“Birds of the Haul Road – an Alaskan Adventure” — Scott Keys
On Thursday, October 8, wildlife photographer Scott Keys will take us on a photographic journey to Alaska to experience the region’s unique variety of birds.
Scott is well known within the LGNC community for his beautiful wildlife photography. His work has been featured on the cover of the Wildlife Activist, including the upcoming Summer 2020 issue. Join us in welcoming Scott for LGNC’s first virtual Speaker Series event of 2020. More of his stunning work can be viewed by following this link! https://skeysimages.zenfolio.com
Click Here to register for this event! http://bit.ly/LGNC_Speaker_Series_1
About Our Virtual Speaker Series:
Typically, our Speaker Series events are held in-person, but this year we are going to be doing things a little bit differently. Speakers will be conducting their talks “virtually” through Zoom. Following registration, you will be provided with a link for a Zoom conference, which will give you access to the event at the scheduled date and time.
If you are familiar with and already have Zoom installed on your device, then you are all set. If you have never used Zoom before, no worries! Upon clicking the link, Zoom will automatically install itself and you’ll be ready to go! Zoom is a small, safe application that allows you to participate in video conferencing events such as this one! While a camera and microphone are not essential to view the presentation, they do make interaction with the speaker possible during question and answer sessions. Click here for more information on Zoom: https://zoom.us
We hope to see virtually!
Although we’ve all faced many uncertainties this year, one natural spectacle has continued right on cue — the marvel of autumn migration is underway! On October 10, 2020, LGNC is hosting a special Migration Day in lieu of our annual Migration Fest. This new event will provide a chance for families to experience migration, and the landscapes that support it, through a virtual workshop and self-paced activities.
Much like our popular summer camps, Migration Day will be based out of a kit that families can pick up at the Nature Center before the event. Then, on October 10, participants will enjoy a live Zoom workshop and migration activities using the materials in the kit. Participants who share photos of their Migration Day adventures will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a free Family Membership for 2021! See below for a complete schedule and registration details.
Registration:
Registration is open now through October 5 (while supplies last)! Those who register will be able to pick up a Migration Day kit (valued at $50) and participate in the day’s activities. The registration fee is $8 for LGNC members and $12 for non-members. Kits will include binoculars, books, milkweed seeds, and many other items to keep! Click here to register:
LGNC member registration: http://bit.ly/Migration_Day_Members
Non-member registration: http://bit.ly/Migration_Day_Non-members
Kit Pickup:
Stop by LGNC on October 7 or 9 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. to pick up your Migration Day kit! Kits will include all of the materials for the day’s activities. We will be following COVID-19 safety protocols during pickup.
Migration Day Activities:
Migration Day will begin on Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m.! Here’s what we’ll be doing:
• Virtual Migration Workshop (11:00 a.m.-Noon) — Log onto Zoom to learn about bird migration and the history of hawk counting! Don’t miss a special 3D presentation on raptor conservation.
• Migration BINGO (all day) — Complete this activity in your backyard, at LGNC, or anywhere! Through a self-paced, family-fun game, explore bird and butterfly migration and the habitats that sustain these long-distance journeys. See how many ways you can get “BINGO” as you search for animals and plants, identify threats to migrating creatures, and complete mini-habitat stewardship projects! All of the materials needed to complete this activity will be provided in the Migration Day kit.
• Bird Count (all day) — LGNC and its predecessors have been counting migrating birds for 60 years. Using the materials in the Migration Day kit, keep a tally of the birds you encounter during the day!
Raffle Drawing
All participants who share photos of their Migration Day adventures will be entered into our raffle! LGNC will draw three names on Sunday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. Winners will receive a free Family Membership (value $50) for 2021!
This event is sponsored by the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River.
American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee
All meetings are Thursdays, once a month, from 10 am – noon
These books will be available at the Palmerton and Slatington Libraries, at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and, at a cost, through Amazon.com
Please feel welcome to bring a friend. If you’d like to lead a discussion, contact Nancy Taras or Dan Kunkle.
Join us for a virtual celebration of LGNC’s members and volunteers! We will present a slideshow of our latest projects, recognize members and volunteers, and enjoy a special live animal program by Carbon County Environmental Education Center. The whole family is invited to attend!
RSVP at this link: http://bit.ly/LGNC_Recognition_20!
Sign up for our email list!
Landscaping for Communities & Wildlife
Get the Latest Resources from our Conservation Landscaping Program:
News and Current Events:
LGNC Online Learning Series
Introducing a new online video series from LGNC!
While our in-person programs for schools and the community are on hold for the time being, our education team has been busy creating virtual education resources for all to use and enjoy! New videos are now being posted regularly to our YouTube page. In addition to species spotlights, we are putting together a variety of science lessons and virtual tours of the Refuge!
Here is the link to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/LGNC_YouTube
Be sure to like our videos and subscribe to our channel!!!
COVID-19
LGNC Osprey House Update (6/11/20)
Everyone is doing their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and so are we at LGNC. In light of current guidelines and the situation facing our nation, the Osprey House will remain closed to the public and all in-person programs will be cancelled until further notice.
This is a disappointment and an inconvenience for us all, but it is an important sacrifice to make to prevent matters from getting worse. We will continue to update the public regularly through Facebook, our website, and emails.
It is important to note that our trails will still remain open to the general public. Please be respectful of any temporary trail closures due to ongoing PPL transmission line work. Even when PPL construction is in progress, there are still plenty of trails to explore, and the Appalachian Trail is still accessible from our parking lot!
We want everyone using our trails to have a safe, healthy, and enriching experience. Hike on established trails only. Use of shortcuts and unofficial trails cause maintenance and safety issues. Please maintain a safe distance of 6 feet from other guests on the trails and in the parking lot.
Also, we ask that folks using our trails follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace found at this link: https://bit.ly/Leave_No_Trace_LGNC. In particular, we ask that you follow the principle regarding “pack in, pack out.” We do not have the capacity to handle the extra trash from a high influx of visitors. Just stash your trash in your backpack, pockets, etc. and take it with you.
Thank you and be safe and stay healthy!
-LGNC Staff
LGNC Restoration Mini Documentary
The Neffs National Bank EITC
We thank The Neffs National Bank for their generous $10,000 donation in support of LGNC’s environmental education programs for area schools! The Neffs National Bank presented donations to nine educational foundations totaling $100,000. The donations were given in March of 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and were officially presented in September. This donation was made through The Neffs National Bank’s participation in the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.
Dan Kunkle's Retirement and LGNC Transition!
Thanks to Times News Lehighton for their recent article on Dan Kunkle’s tenure as Executive Director of LGNC! While Dan will be retiring at the end of this month, he will be joining the LGNC Board as Director Emeritus. Current staff members Chad Schwartz and Brian Birchak will serve as Co-directors of the Nature Center beginning on January 1, 2020.
Remembering Michal Kubik
We at LGNC have the sad duty to inform you of the passing of Michal Kubik. Michal served as vice president and president of LGNC’s Board of Directors during the refuge land acquisition along the Kittatinny Ridge. His tenure also oversaw the building of the Osprey House and the development of LGNC into the community, education, and research center that it is today.
He was at the helm as LGNC went from idea to reality.
Remembering Bill Mineo
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Bill Mineo, one of LGNC’s founding members. We mourn the loss of this key figure in Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s creation and success. Click here for the Autumn 2017 Wildlife Activist (#81) to read a recent Board member spotlight article on Bill. Also, click here to view Bill’s obituary. Our condolences to the family.
